House Bill Sets Strict Limits on Tobacco

The Massachusetts House last week passed a bill by a vote of 146-4 that would raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, prohibit e-cigarettes from the workplace, and prohibit pharmacies from selling tobacco products.

MHA strongly supported the bill, which now moves to the State Senate that passed similar legislation last session. The legislation was championed in the House by House Public Health Committee Chair Kate Hogan (D-Stow), House Ways & Means Chair Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez (D-Mission Hill), Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), and Rep. Sean Garballey (D-Arlington). It had been spearheaded by Tobacco Free Massachusetts, of which MHA is a member.

Almost 90% of MHA hospital members have established completely tobacco-free campuses, and several hospitals have joined MHA in establishing employment practices that screen for tobacco use. Visit MHA’s Tobacco-Free Hospitals webpage.

Tobacco and nicotine use is the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in Massachusetts.